World War One Final Terms

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Definition: Ruler of Germany 

Significance: Helped set Germany into WWI. 

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Definition: The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.

Significance: His assassination sparked the start of WWI

Woodrow Wilson

Definition: Former president of the United States in 1919. 

Significance: A part of a group called the big four in the Paris Peace Conference. 

Triple Alliance

Definition: An alliance made by Germany and included Germany, Austrian-Hungary and Italy. 

Significance: Created by Otto Von Bismarck to isolate France and prevent France from forming alliances against Germany. He was afraid that France would try to take revenge for its defeat during the Franco-Prussian War. 

Triple Entente

Definition: An alliance made by Britain and included them, France and Russia. 

Significance: The alliance did not mean Britain would fight WITH France and Russia but it most certainly meant that Britain would not fight AGAINST France and Russia.

Schlieffen Plan

Definition: The plan called for attacking and defeating France in the west and then rushing east to fight Russia. 

Significance: The Germans thought that this plan would work because they knew Russia was behind on their railroad systems and thus would take longer to supply its front lines. 

First Battle of the Marne

Definition: A halt made by the British against Germany’s to prevent advance into France, preventing a swift victory.

Significance: Led to trench warfare in the western front.

Gallipoli Campaign

Definition: An Allied attempt to capture the Dardanelles Strait. 

Significance: Was intended to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

Zimmerman Telegram

Definition: A secret message from Germany to Mexico, proposing an alliance if the U.S. joined WWI against Germany.

Significance: The message was intercepted by the British and passed on to the U.S.; its publication caused outrage and contributed to the U.S. entry into WWI.

Conscription 

Definition: The mandatory enlistment of people into the military. 

Significance: Was used by many countries during WWI to make sure enough soldiers participated in the war. 

Second Battle of the Marne

Definition: Germany’s final offensive in the war.

Significance: It was a turning point in the war for the Allies, causing Germany to retreat. 

Armistice

Definition: An agreement to stop fighting. 

Significance: Signed by a German representative and French commander Marshal Foch.

Fourteen Points

Definition: A series of peace proposals that outline a plan for achieving a just and lasting peace. 

Significance: Proposed by former President Wilson.

Paris Peace Conference

Definition: A meeting of allied powers to set peace agreements after WWI. 

Significance: Led to the Treaty of Versailles.

Self-determination 

Definition: Allowed people to choose for themselves what government they wish to live in. 

Significance: The guiding idea behind these points.